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Three Gorges Dam: History, Benefits, and Transmission

Explore the history, benefits, and power transmission of the Three Gorges Dam, a monumental hydropower project in China. Discover its construction challenges, energy generation, and impact on the region.

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Three Gorges Dam: History, Benefits, and Transmission

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  1. Three Gorges Dam Ryan Switts NPRE 498 December 6, 2010

  2. History of Hydropower • Used as far back as 2000 years ago by Greeks to grind wheat • Evolution to modern hydropower turbine began with Bernard Forest de Belidor in the mid 1700s • World’s first hydroelectric power plant began operating in Appleton, Wisconsin in 1882 • By 1889, 200 electric plants in the U.S. used water-power for at least some generation • Now, hydropower represents 19% of total electricity production

  3. Three Gorges Dam--History • First proposed in 1919 in order to protect against flooding and aid in economic growth • Gained support of Mao Zedong in the 1950’s—was more popular because of recent floods • Due to political unrest, any progress was delayed till 1979 • After 10 years of testing and with the Chinese government suppressing the high amount of controversy surrounding the project, construction began in 1992

  4. Problems caused by Construction • 1.2 Million citizens needed to be relocated, number might rise to 5 million and higher • Dam is situated on a fault line—changes in water level may lead to severe earthquakes • Up to 283 landslide-prone areas may experience increased geological activity • May flood up to 1300 archaeological sites in the area

  5. Benefits • Limited capability of flood control • Higher water levels upstream of the dam will make transportation easier and safer • The normally lower water levels during the dry season can be kept constant—also making transportation easier • Can supply approximately 3% of China’s energy needs • Will have a total energy generating capacity of 22.4 GW

  6. General Information • Contains 26 generating units, each with a rated power of 700 MW, and will have 6 more units installed to bring the total capacity to 22.4 GW • The dam is 1.5 miles long and 610 feet high • The reservoir is 410 miles long and 574 feet deep, and 299 feet above ‘river level’ • Total cost of $37 billion

  7. Francis Turbine • Typed of turbine used • Each is vertically mounted in a tunnel—water flowing sometimes close to 80 mph through the tunnel turns them at a rate of 75 rpm • Each has an inside diameter of 60 feet, an outside diameter of 70 feet, and is 11 feet from top to bottom • Efficiency over 94%

  8. PowerTransmission There are three 500 kV DC transmission lines and a 500 kV AC transmission line that will transfer power out of the Three Gorges Dam— • HVDC Three Gorges-Shanghai (3,000 MW) • HVDC Three Gorges-Changzhou (3,000 MW)—553 miles • HVDC Three Gorges-Guangdong (3,000 MW)—584 miles • HVAC Three Gorges-Central China Grid (12,000 MW)

  9. Advantages and Disadvantages of HVDC • Higher power transfers over longer distances with fewer lines are possible with HVDC • Much more efficient than AC for both underground and underwater power transmission • Interconnections can be made between asynchronous networks—act as a ‘firewall’ against cascading outages • Higher converter station costs

  10. High Voltage DC versus AC

  11. HVDC • Important for utilizing renewable energies, since areas abundant in these are often far removed from areas of high energy consumption.

  12. References • Garcia, Honey. (24 Mar. 2010). “Three Gorges Dam: Renewable Energy Source or Recipe for Disaster?” Ecoseed. 2 Dec. 2010, http://www.ecoseed.org/en/water-power/large-hydropower/article/65-large-hydropower/6683-three-gorges-dam--renewable-energy-source-or-recipe-for-disaster- • Livescience staff. (26 Oct. 2010). “China’s Three Gorges Dam Finally Filled.” Livescience. 3 Dec 2010, http://www.livescience.com/technology/etc/three-gorges-dam-reaches-capacity-china-101026.html • “Flood Control Capacity of Three Gorges Dam Limited.” (23 Jul. 2010). Economictimes. 2 Dec 2010, http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Flood-control-capacity-of-Chinas-Three-Gorges-dam-limited/articleshow/6204806.cms • Watts, Jonathan. (22 Jan. 2010). “Three Gorges Dam May Force Relocation of a further 300,000 People.” Guardian. 3 Dec. 2010, http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/22/wave-tidal-hydropower-water • Hydroelectric Power Water Use. USGS. 4 Dec. 2010, http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html • History of Hydropower. EERE. 4 Dec. 2010, http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/hydro_history.html • Three Gorges Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant, China. Power-Technology. 1 Dec. 2010, http://www.power-technology.com/projects/gorges/ • China’s Three Gorges Dam. Mount Holyoak. 1 Dec. 2010, http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~vanti20m/classweb/website/home.html • Bahrman, Michael. (1 Nov. 2006). “HVDC Transmission.” 2 Dec. 2010, http://www.scribd.com/doc/37191385/Panel-02-1-Overview-of-HVDC-Transmission • Bahrman. (20 Nov. 2008). “HVDC Transmission Overview.” 3 Dec. 2010, http://nomoretowers.org/Documents/HVDC%20Transmission%20Overview.pdf • “The Three Gorges Dam.” (14 August 2008). PA Pundits—International. 5 Dec. 2010, http://papundits.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/the-three-gorges-dam-part-3/

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